A crush of Clippers content can be found around the web today, no doubt because of their impending showdown with the reigning champions. Here are some of the well-timed articles from around the mill:

From SI’s Rob Mahoney, What’s holding back DeAndre Jordan on defense? Mahoney investigates how far Jordan’s come, how far he has yet to go and how to reconcile the Clippers’ top-10 defensive rating with their seemingly nightly gaffs:

What’s even more maddening is that Jordan isn’t at all a lost cause. He’s capable of staying down to blanket an opposing post scorer, but in other situations will bite on obvious pump fakes. He’s athletic enough to get down in a defensive stance to keep opposing guards in front of him, but careless enough to let an opposing big drive by him for an uncontested dunk. He’ll hold his ground against Roy Hibbert on the block but give an easy angle to Andre Drummond. He nimbly darts out of the paint to take away one open shot, then proceeds to surrender wide open mid-range jumpers to any other opponent interested in taking one:

From Brian Windhorst and Ramona Shelburne, Sequel time? LeBron’s next decision. Windhorst and Shelburne piece together the narrative that presents the Clippers as a viable solution for LeBron James in 2014, instead of just the token meeting they were in 2010.

Primarily this is because of James’ relationships with Paul and Rivers. Paul is one of James’ best friends and the two have talked about playing with each other since they were in high school, when they met on the AAU and prep All-Star circuits. Paul is godfather to James’ son Bryce and they were in each other’s weddings.

In a classic “what if” moment in recent history, James urged the Cavs to attempt to draft Paul in 2005 but the team didn’t have a first-round pick that season. Cleveland’s attempts to trade into the draft were unsuccessful. The two stars later won gold medals playing together in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics for Team USA.

James respects Rivers perhaps more than any coach he hasn’t played for, a side effect of playing four playoff series against Rivers when he was the coach of the Celtics. James developed a strong dislike for many of the Celtics players, but with each year he grew more fond of Rivers as an adversary.

To follow, ESPN presents their analysts with a hypothetical scenario from Windhorst and Shelburne’s piece:
3. Do you think Miami would cooperate in a LeBron-for-Blake Griffin deal?

Arnovitz: If there’s a gun to their head, sure, because what recourse would the Heat have in that scenario? James has the power to dictate the terms because it’s his talent that’s the commodity. That’s the way labor markets usually work, and that’s a good thing.

Elhassan: If it came down to LeBron leaving for sure, absolutely. Blake Griffin has shown tremendous growth since he came into the league, and his contract would actually represent a savings from LeBron’s deal. If you’re going to lose your franchise player, getting a young stud in return is a fitting consolation prize.

Strauss: Only if they absolutely knew LeBron wasn’t returning. Much as I enjoy Griffin’s game, he’s not the ideal building block LeBron is. A power forward with Blake’s lack of length needs ideal surrounding conditions to win a championship.

Verrier: If necessary, sure. The Cavs eventually sign-and-traded LeBron to Miami. The Suns sign-and-traded Steve Nash to L.A. Once the sting wears off, rationality often prevails. The Heat don’t have to like it, but if the Clippers are his choice, getting a 24-year-old franchise player is a comically large consolatory lolly.

Wallace: Depends on what Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade do. If Bosh and Wade remain on the books — either under their current contracts or after opting out and re-signing — there might not be enough available money under the cap to look elsewhere and fill the void for that third superstar player. So if you’re Miami, you can’t necessarily afford to lose LeBron for nothing in return. But a LeBron departure is more likely to usher in a major overhaul from the front office through the end of the bench.

The carping from the gallery that Griffin couldn’t suffice as a No. 1 option has quieted in recent days, but as much as Griffin has impressed the critics on the set, the most important observer is on the Clippers’ bench. Paul has spent the past month watching Griffin house-sit the offense. The Clippers have learned some illuminating things about themselves and Griffin in Paul’s absence, which should end in the next couple of weeks. His return to the lineup will serve as the ultimate midseason acquisition.

Meanwhile, the Clippers feel like a real contender for the first time since the preseason. If the guys on the court believe it, and the suits upstairs see it, and the fans sense it, then Paul must too. This was the meaning behind Spoelstra’s message in Portland: Superstars need reassurance that the world will remain on its axis without them. The Clippers’ supporting cast has provided that.

And from the archives of Arnovitz’s twitter feed:

Friends found these waiting for them in their hotel room in Anpu, China: Los Angeles Clpipres flip flops by Nkie | pic.twitter.com/QIJWEq76KC

A possible roster change in the next two weeks is exceedingly more relevant than a speculative LeBron for Blake trade.

matt nespoli

Agreed. If we dont get a back up big, we don’t get past the second round again. And Dudley is worthless

Andrew Han

Haven’t come across a viable partner for Dudley yet which is why that wasn’t included. Is there a market for him?

Jerdog

Trade CP3 for James rather than BG and keep the highly productive Darren Collison at the point. Clippers would have the best front line in the NBA with a solid back court.

matt nespoli

This would never happen, but I’d sooner trade CP3 than Blake Griffin.

Bongstradamus

Part of the appeal of LAC to James or Anthony is Blake and CP3.

I wouldnt want to play here without both of them. The focus should be on moving DJ who takes up a majority of the salary space we could use for a third star.

Honestly, I think we could get either or both of them at a huge discount as long as we keep Blake and CP3 together. Add LeBron or Carmelo to a CP3 and Blake core and thats instant win, just add minutes.

http://2epicbits.com/ theSUBVERSIVE

That part of DJ is exactly what I’ve been commenting. I would even highlight the part that it says about him defending guards well enough but letting bigs drive around and passing by him, and I’m talking about quicker and more athletic guys – is there even a quicker C? -, I’m talking about guys like Pau Gasol. I questioned his lateral quickness to blame but it might be about being careless as well. C’mon DJ, these details are important and the only thing preventing you to be a consistent defensive anchor.

matt nespoli

I’m tired of always hearing these silly trade rumors involving Blake Griffin. Blake Griffin saved this franchise. I’ve been a season ticket holder since 2007 and Blake changed the dynamic and made the Clippers relevant and fun. I dont think there’s a star out that who has the sexy appeal of Blake Griffin. You trade Blake, you lose at least one season ticket holder, even if that means getting Lebron James in return. What happened to loyalty and fans getting the enjoyment of cheering for the same players each year. Besides Blake and Jordan the entire Clippers core is gone from just 3 years ago. Not only that, but right now, with CP3 injured, Blake has been playing like a top 3 player in the entire league.

Stop with the rumors. Blake Griffin is ours.

ClipsFAN

Not sure I personally would have used the word, “sexy,” but I couldn’t agree more. Blake isn’t the best in the league, or even the best on the team; but he’s OUR guy. I’d rather LA trade CP3 than Blake, even though CP3 is a better player. It’s not just about pure talent, though Clip fans know Blake has plenty of it.

I can’t help but notice that none of these rumors ever get floated out of Playa Vista. The team isn’t interested in losing him.
Makes for nice fodder when these rumors get floated from around the league, but Blake isn’t going anywhere. A large percentage of Clip fans don’t want him to anyway, regardless of the return haul.
Blake’s OUR guy. Period.